Ludwig (or Louis) Beckmann was a native of Doberon, Mecklenberg, Germany, where he was born on February 5, 1845. He was trained in instrument making in Germany and emigrated to the United States in 1870 at the age of 29. After settling in Toledo, he began to manufacture surveying compasses, transits and levels in about 1874. He made his own dividing engines, the first a hand-operated version in 1878, and others in 1900 and 1912. The third engine required two years to complete, and Beckmann claimed that its greatest error was 2 seconds of arc. He was joined in business by his son, Louis Beckmann, Jr., who continued alone after his father's death in 1914. After 1945, he no longer made instruments but maintained an instrument repair service until 1951. The firm was then acquired by R.J. Hoover and C. G. Anderson.

American Telescopic Vernier Compass, c. 1875, signed in script: L. Beckman, Toledo O. 755". Standing 12" high, this instrument is constructed of bright colored brass and incorporates a 6" compass housing with an internal variation-index and a 9" long transiting telescope. The unusual leveling base design may be a variation of Bulloch's leveling base, a German design possibly adopted by Beckman prior to his immigration to the United States in 1870. The instrument is complete with the original hand-dovetailed mahogany case and original straight leg tripod. In the collection of The Sidney o. Dewberry Museun of Surveying and Engineering Technology.